Here's why Kelowna won the right to host Memorial Cup!

The excitement was palpable when the Kelowna Rockets were awarded the 2026 Memorial Cup last week, a proud moment for the Rockets' management and planning committee.

On Thursday afternoon, Canadian Hockey League (CHL) President Dan MacKenzie visited Prospera Place, accompanied by the prestigious Memorial Cup, to officially kick off the journey toward hosting this iconic tournament in May 2026.

He said the Rockets and the city clearly met what the committee was looking for.

" Business operations, hockey operations, infrastructure, theme, legacy, and community impact. It was through consistently high scores in each of these areas that Kelowna won the bid," MacKenzie said. "Given the importance of infrastructure, the announcement wouldn't have been possible without the city of Kelowna stepping up and committing to upgrading Prospera Place."

The vote to decide the winner was done through an independent committee of five members that all five teams presented to, and it was a sealed vote that led to a unanimous decision to have Kelowna host the tournament.

MacKenzie, who watched all the bids, emphasized that Kelowna's successful bid wasn’t due to any single factor. Instead, it was a combination of the city’s appeal, its infrastructure, the theme (It's all here!), the potential community legacy, and the strong support the city is expected to show for the team.

"Kelowna had a very strong presentation there. And I think the last piece that's always very important, is that isn't just an event, this is an event that’s a national championship for a sport that we all love and we care about," MacKenzie said.

Fans can buy half season tickets for the remainder of the season which also guarantees your chance to renew them for next season that includes first option to purchase Memorial Cup packages.